Comments on: The Real McCoy Part 3: How to Bridge America’s Innovation Gaphttp://www.ipwatchdog.com/2012/11/18/the-real-mccoy-part-3-how-to-bridge-americas-innovation-gap/id=30103/
Patents, Software Patents, Patent Applications & Patent LawTue, 03 Mar 2015 19:11:26 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.org/?v=4.1.1By: Mark Annetthttp://www.ipwatchdog.com/2012/11/18/the-real-mccoy-part-3-how-to-bridge-americas-innovation-gap/id=30103/#comment-261239
Tue, 20 Nov 2012 14:49:23 +0000http://www.ipwatchdog.com/?p=30103#comment-261239I enjoyed this article series and the author is careful to point out that while the article is targeted to the Black community, it is equally the situation for all economically disadvantaged groups.

The article concludes with, “…Blacks must be diligent in making sure that they are aware of their intellectual property rights, like any other civil right, and seek IP legal counsel to secure and enforce these rights for economic gain, the avoidance of economic exploitation and the creation of wealth in the new millennium and beyond.”

I actively particpate in a local inventors group providing free counsel while there. I think the biggest issue facing disadvantaged groups is the “avoidance of economic exploitation”! It is so tragic when some new inventor comes to the club and says that they have already spent upwards of $8,000 through a 1-800 inventors service with nothing tangible to show for it.

While pro bono work would certainly help what is needed is a massive education effort. I would propose that entrepreneurship be added to the ciriculmn beginning in the 5th grade. If nothing else maybe these kids could help their parents and family members avoid these scams and become savvy entrepreneurs when their time comes.

I have seen countless people scape together enough money that could have helped them achieve their dreams only to have it scammed away from them. If you really want to improve the civil rights of disadvantaged communities then I think the best chance that we have is to make sure that ALL OF OUR CHILDREN receive a great education, that should include entrepreneurship!